This article is based on an official press release from NASA/JPL.

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Gains “GPS-Like” Autonomy with Major Software Upgrade

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has successfully deployed a transformative software update to the Perseverance rover, effectively solving one of the most persistent challenges in planetary exploration: autonomous localization. The new capability, known as “Mars Global Localization,” allows the rover to determine its precise coordinates on the Red Planet without human intervention, utilizing a method comparable to an onboard GPS.

According to the official announcement from JPL, the system was first successfully employed during regular mission operations on February 2, 2026, with a subsequent confirmation on February 16. The technology enables the rover to match its ground-level view with orbital maps, pinpointing its location to within 10 inches (25 centimeters). This development marks a significant shift from previous navigation methods, which relied heavily on Earth-based teams to correct navigation errors that accumulated during long drives.

Solving the “Drift” Problem

Prior to this update, Mars rovers navigated primarily using “visual odometry.” As described in technical specifications released by NASA, this method involves tracking movement by comparing frame-to-frame changes in images as the rover’s wheels turn. While effective for short distances, visual odometry suffers from “drift”, tiny calculation errors that accumulate over time. Over a long drive, a rover might estimate its position to be significantly different from its actual physical location.

When uncertainty levels became too high under the old system, the rover was forced to stop and wait, often for more than 24 hours, while engineers on Earth analyzed the data to provide a manual position fix. Mars Global Localization eliminates this bottleneck by allowing Perseverance to “reset” its position autonomously.

How Mars Global Localization Works

The new system mimics the way a human hiker might use a map and compass to reorient themselves. The process involves three distinct steps:

• Image Capture: The rover halts and rotates its mast to capture a 360-degree panoramic view of the terrain using its navigation cameras (Navcams).
• Map Matching: An onboard algorithm flattens these images into a top-down “orthomosaic” view. It then compares this view against high-resolution orbital imagery stored in the rover’s memory, which was originally captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
• Position Fix: By identifying matching landmarks, such as crater rims, rock formations, and dune fields, the rover calculates its absolute coordinates relative to the global map.

Vandi Verma, Chief Engineer of Robotics Operations at JPL, emphasized the operational impact of this upgrade in the press statement:

“This is kind of like giving the rover GPS. Now it can determine its own location on Mars. It means the rover will be able to drive for much longer distances autonomously, so we’ll explore more of the planet and get more science.”

Repurposing Ingenuity’s “Brain”

A critical component of this breakthrough lies in the hardware used to process the complex image matching algorithms. The rover’s main computer, while radiation-hardened and incredibly durable, is built on 1990s-era architecture that lacks the processing speed required for rapid image analysis.

To bypass this limitation, JPL engineers repurposed the Helicopter Base Station (HBS). This secondary computer was originally installed solely to communicate with the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. With Ingenuity now retired, the HBS, which utilizes a commercial-grade smartphone processor (Snapdragon class), was available for new tasks.

According to JPL data, this processor is approximately 100 times faster than the rover’s main CPU. This speed allows the Mars Global Localization system to perform the complex map-matching process in roughly two minutes, a task that would be impossible for the main computer to handle efficiently during a drive.

AirPro News Analysis: The Shift to Commercial Silicon

The successful deployment of Mars Global Localization on the Helicopter Base Station highlights a growing trend in aerospace engineering: the integration of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology in deep space missions. Traditionally, space agencies have prioritized radiation-hardened processors that are extremely reliable but technologically outdated by the time they launch.

The performance of the HBS suggests that future missions may increasingly adopt a hybrid architecture. By pairing a “survival” computer (radiation-hardened) with a “performance” computer (modern commercial silicon), agencies can unlock advanced autonomy capabilities, such as AI-driven route planning and real-time image processing, without sacrificing the mission’s fundamental safety. This architecture could prove essential for the next generation of lunar and Martian robotics, where autonomy will be a requirement rather than a luxury.

Current Operations and Future Outlook

Perseverance is currently traversing the “Mala Mala” region on the rim of Jezero Crater, a geologically diverse area where precise navigation is critical. The terrain is challenging, and the ability to drive confidently without waiting for Earth-based localization cycles is expected to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery.

This update serves as the capstone to a series of autonomy improvements, following the AutoNav update in 2021 and the introduction of AI route planning in late 2025. By combining obstacle avoidance, intelligent path selection, and now absolute self-localization, Perseverance has achieved a level of independence previously unseen in planetary rovers.

“Imagine you’re all alone, driving along in a rocky, unforgiving desert with no roads, no map, no GPS, and no more than one phone call a day… That’s what Perseverance has been experiencing… until now,” said Verma.

Sources

• NASA/JPL News Release

NASA Classifies Starliner Test as “Type A Mishap”; Boeing Cites Progress on Fixes

On February 19, 2026, NASA released its final investigation report regarding the Boeing Starliner Crewed Flight Test (CFT). The agency has retroactively classified the mission, which launched in June 2024 and concluded with an uncrewed return in September 2024, as a “Type A Mishap.” This classification represents the agency’s most serious category for accidents or close calls, defined by the potential for loss of life, permanent disability, or property damage exceeding $2 million.

In response to the findings, Boeing issued an official statement acknowledging the investigation and detailing the corrective measures implemented over the last year and a half. The report outlines 61 formal recommendations addressing technical, organizational, and cultural issues that contributed to the mission’s anomalies.

Investigation Findings: Technical and Cultural Failures

The independent investigation team identified specific root causes for the technical failures that plagued the Starliner spacecraft as it approached the International Space Station (ISS). According to the report, five of the 28 Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters failed during docking, and multiple helium leaks were detected in the propulsion system.

Root Cause: Teflon “Poppets” and Overheating

The investigation determined that the primary cause of the thruster failures was the extrusion of Teflon “poppets,” or seals, inside the oxidizer valves. The report states that the frequent pulsing required for docking maneuvers caused the thrusters to overheat. This thermal stress caused the Teflon material to expand, blocking the flow of propellant.

Additionally, the helium leaks were traced to seals within the Propulsion system that were insufficient for the environmental conditions and oxidizer exposure. The report noted a critical lack of redundancy, stating that these failures left the spacecraft with no fault tolerance in its propulsion system during key mission phases.

Organizational Oversight

Beyond hardware, the investigation criticized the oversight culture shared by NASA and Boeing. The report described NASA’s approach as “limited touch,” suggesting the agency lacked sufficient insight into Boeing’s subsystems. It also highlighted a “normalization of deviance,” noting that both organizations had accepted unexplained anomalies from previous uncrewed flight tests (OFT-1 and OFT-2) without identifying definitive root causes.

Boeing’s Response and Corrective Actions

Following the release of the report, Boeing emphasized its cooperation with the inquiry and the work performed since the test flight concluded. In an official statement, the company said:

“We’re grateful to NASA for its thorough investigation and the opportunity to contribute to it. In the 18 months since our test flight, Boeing has made substantial progress on corrective actions…”

The “18 months” referenced by Boeing corresponds to the period between the uncrewed return of the Starliner capsule in September 2024 and the report’s release in February 2026. During this time, the company has implemented several engineering changes to address the 61 recommendations.

Hardware and Software Redesigns

According to details confirmed by NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, Boeing is redesigning the thruster pods, known as “doghouses.” These modifications include:

• Thermal Barriers: New insulation and thermal shunts have been added to isolate individual thrusters, preventing heat soak from affecting neighboring valves.
• New Seal Materials: The helium system is being upgraded with new seal materials designed to withstand the oxidizer environment.
• Software Updates: Flight Software has been updated with new “pulse profiles” to reduce heat buildup during complex maneuvering.

Boeing has reportedly conducted extensive ground Test-Flights of these new configurations at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility.

AirPro News Analysis

The retroactive classification of the CFT mission as a “Type A Mishap” underscores the severity of the risk faced by astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who ultimately returned on a SpaceX Crew Dragon in March 2025. While hardware redesigns address the immediate mechanical failures, the report’s focus on “silencing dissent” and “normalization of deviance” suggests that the path to recertification will require significant cultural shifts alongside engineering fixes. NASA has indicated that the next Starliner mission will likely be an uncrewed cargo flight, targeted for no earlier than April 2026, to validate these changes before astronauts fly on the vehicle again.

Sources

Sources: Boeing Official Statement, NASA Investigation Report (Feb 19, 2026), NASA Commercial Crew Program Updates.

This article is based on an official press release from Vast Space.

Vast Space Selected by NASA for Sixth Private Astronaut Mission to ISS

NASA has officially selected Vast Space to conduct the sixth private astronaut mission (PAM-6) to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, targeted for launch no earlier than summer 2027, marks a significant expansion in the commercial landscape of Low Earth Orbit (LEO). According to the announcement from the Long Beach-based aerospace company, this selection positions Vast as a key player in NASA’s strategy to transition from government-led operations to a commercial space economy.

The mission will utilize a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and a Dragon spacecraft to transport four private astronauts to the orbiting laboratory. While the specific crew members have not yet been named, Vast confirmed that the mission will focus heavily on science and research, distinguishing it from purely tourism-focused endeavors. This contract award represents a major milestone for Vast, which was founded in 2021 and is simultaneously developing its own commercial space station, Haven-1.

Mission Profile and Objectives

Under the terms of the agreement, the PAM-6 mission is designed to spend up to 14 days docked at the ISS. Vast stated in their press release that the primary objective is to conduct a broad range of experiments, including biology, biotechnology, physical sciences, and human research. This focus aligns with NASA’s requirement that private missions contribute to the utilization of the ISS’s research capabilities.

Vast will be responsible for the end-to-end mission management, including crew selection, training, and mission execution, subject to rigorous approval by NASA and its international partners. The company emphasized that this operational experience is critical for their long-term goals.

“Leveraging the remaining life of the International Space Station with science and research-led commercial crewed missions is a critical part of the transition to commercial space stations and fully unlocking the orbital economy.”

, Max Haot, CEO of Vast

Operational Timeline

The summer 2027 target date places PAM-6 in a busy operational window for the company. According to company timelines, Vast intends to launch its own single-module space station, Haven-1, in the first quarter of 2027. If these schedules hold, Vast could be managing two separate human spaceflight programs, one to the ISS and one to its own outpost, within the same calendar year.

Strategic Context: The Road to Haven

Vast views the PAM-6 mission as more than just a flight to the ISS; it is an operational pathfinder for their future independent stations. By managing a crewed mission to the ISS, the company aims to refine the logistics, training protocols, and safety procedures required to operate Haven-1 and its planned successor, Haven-2.

According to industry data, Vast successfully launched a “Haven Demo” pathfinder spacecraft in November 2025 aboard a SpaceX rideshare mission. That demonstration validated critical subsystems such as avionics and propulsion, likely contributing to NASA’s confidence in awarding the PAM-6 contract.

Dana Weigel, NASA’s ISS Program Manager, highlighted the agency’s goal of fostering a robust commercial market through these missions.

“By hosting private astronaut missions, the station helps accelerate innovation, opens new commercial pathways, and advances research strengthening the foundation of a thriving space economy.”

, Dana Weigel, NASA ISS Program Manager

AirPro News analysis

The selection of Vast for PAM-6 signals a notable shift in the private astronaut market, which has previously been dominated by Axiom Space. Axiom operated the first four private missions to the ISS (Ax-1 through Ax-4) and holds the contract for Ax-5. By selecting a second provider, NASA appears to be actively encouraging competition and reducing reliance on a single vendor for commercial access to the station.

Furthermore, this “dual-track” strategy, where Vast pursues both ISS missions and its own station simultaneously, is aggressive. It suggests that the company is positioning itself not just as a participant in the current ISS program, but as a leading contender for the Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) program that will eventually replace the ISS around 2030.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the mission launch?
The mission is targeted for launch no earlier than summer 2027.

Who will be on board?
Vast will select four crew members. Their names have not been announced, but they will undergo NASA and international partner approval.

What spacecraft will be used?
The mission will use a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket.

How does this relate to Haven-1?
Vast plans to launch its own station, Haven-1, in early 2027. The ISS mission (PAM-6) serves as an operational experience builder and risk-reduction exercise for the company’s long-term habitation goals.

Sources

• Vast Space Press Release
• NASA Official Announcement